Voices from Abroad: Some Recent Volunteer Feedback Volunteering Overseas Experience

Nov. 5, 2008 - PRLog -- Romita and Wilson volunteered in Cusco, Peru for 4 weeks (October 2008)
4th year medical students at the Penn State College of Medicine

Romita:

Everything went well when we were in Cusco. We really enjoyed our time with Mama Greta and the Montecino family. They were always very helpful and very caring for our needs. Mama Greta's cooking was also always wonderful. The whole family went out of their way to make sure we were comfortable. Please thank them again from us. I also had a great experience at La Clinica. It was great working with Dr. Holgado and Dr. Vilca. We also had the opportunity to go to the Hospital Regional and work in the emergency room. That was also a good experience.

The Spanish classes were also very good and I feel like I can now speak some Spanish without feeling too nervous. I am grateful for the time in Cusco, to be exposed to a new place, a new culture, a new language. It was wonderful to work with Vanessa, the ABV Project Coordinator. She was great about helping us navigate in Cusco in the first few days and were a great source of information. I have no complaints about our stay. Our trip to Acopia was also a wonderful experience. We were able to use our training in "the real world" and at least try to help the people in the village. It was definitely worth it and it was a great experience. Overall everything went very well. We have lots of great memories. Thank you for everything.

Wilson:

I had a really great time during my month in Cusco. I really enjoyed working in La Clinica, the physicians and staff taught me so much. I also learned a lot from the Spanish classes.

The professor was excellent; he was very patient and professional. The host family was very warm and accommodating; they made me feel as thou I was part of their family. Vanessa was very helpful and kind, she helped us tremendously. in summary, my experience was great, if I could do it over again, I would a million times over.

Thank you for everything ABV.


Michelle Cangelosi Volunteered in Peru Cusco (Cultural Immersion) October 2, 2008
Peace Corps - Office of the Director

Thank you for the opportunity to visit such a great country with culture deeply rooted. My time in Cusco, Peru has been a delight. Vanessa certainly made sure that things were going well - she frequently called the hotel, my Spanish instructor - Karen, made personal visits to me at least every day or two. My morning Spanish lessons were pottery session last Monday evening.

The lessons were very helpful, grammatically and eventually I guided Karen to give me additional vocabulary help. Hector, the school director was also very involved accompanying us to the folk/traditional dances, shopping at the market and even walking me to the ATM!.

Everyone made me feel so welcome. Vanessa (coordinator) did a great job picking the restaurant and my hostel, though humble, was in a fabulous location and had incredibly personable staff.

The staff even got involved in teaching me Spanish!. My volunteer work was with street children and others that came were so adorable and very willing to help with Spanish. I too, taught them a bit of English!. All in all was a great humanitarian and Cultural Immersion trip and a wonderful place to visit.

Thanks so much for the opportunity to serve. All the best, Michelle C.


Muhammad D. volunteered in Zambia for 2 weeks (August 2008)

I worked with the Mother of Mercy Hospice in Lusaka Zambia. I did basic favors for the facility such as take documents and such to different parts of the hospice. I also worked in the laboratory and did HIV antibody tests and recorded Hb for patients. I was able to shadow the clinical officers that worked at the hospice.

Twice, I went on an HIV/Aid outreach workshop where the hospice provided home-based care for patients who were not able to come to the hospice. We went to remote parts of Zambia and provided basic care. The ABV coordinator Josphat was very helpful and polite. He was supportive and always asked if I needed any extra help. He kept in touch throughout my program.


Siobhan S volunteered in Tanzania for 4 weeks (May 2008)

Just a note to say I have arrived safely and I'm having a fantastic time so far. You're right everything is at a different pace! I've started teaching in the kindergarten school from 8am - 12, this is fine, and I’ve brought over lots of materials which were badly needed. Yesterday I took a trip into Arusha town to buy more copy books, do some photocopying etc. I will be assisting with computer and English classes some days also. I feel like I'm making progress already which is great and very rewarding.

When I return to Ireland I will encourage some of my friends etc to consider working as a volunteer through your ABV organization. The host family is absolutely lovely, very welcoming and friendly. They are encouraging me to speak Swahili which is great.

The food is fine, toilet and shower facilities are very basic but I guess that was to be expected. I have taken lots of photos so far and I can e-mail these on to you when I return to Ireland.

Thanks & take care,
Siobhan



Amy R volunteered in Ghana for 2 weeks. (June 2008)

I just wanted to say that I got back safe and sound and am finally home in Colorado! I will be sending you pictures in the next few days. But just so you know...my trip was unbelievably AMAZING and I know Megan feels the same....we are so lucky to have been able to do this, and especially to have been able to work with Edem, the ABV coordinator! He absolutely bent over backwards to make my experience wonderful and meaningful!

Amy


Ally B volunteered 2 weeks in Honduras (August 2008)

I worked in the Special education school based in La Ceiba.

My daily tasks included basic organizing, helping with the teachers need ( cutting paper, making signs, etc.) and interacting with the children. I also helped to tutor the struggling students in Math and spelling.

My favorite part of the experience was the close one on one contact I had with the children. It gave me an opportunity to really get to know the students as individuals and create relationships with them . I loved being able to joke and play with the kids during recess. It was hearting seeing how sad they were that i was leaving at the end of the two weeks.

It was a great and moving experience. I hope to be able to do it again in the winter or during my spring break before i leave for college next year.


Jenna R volunteered in Honduras for 2 weeks (July 2008)

I worked in the school for people with physical and mental disabilities. Primarily, I helped the local teachers with classes in the swimming pool, assisting in rehabilitation for the children. The lessons involved learning basic swim techniques as well as following directions and doing basic tasks in the water. I also assisted with severely disabled children.

Since they were unable to swim on their own, we assisted by helping them move around and float in the pool so they could use the water for its therapeutic effects, even though they were unable to swim. I also had the opportunity to work with deaf children, practicing vocabulary with the older children, and for the younger children learning to count. I also helped out in other classrooms, helping kids with art projects and helping the teacher conduct class.

I really liked how my experience with the ABV program allowed me the rewards of volunteering, while still giving me the opportunity to explore Honduras and get away on weekends to see my surroundings.

I found the local coordinator extremely helpful in suggesting things for us to do, and helping us co-ordinate activities with other volunteers.

I had an amazing experience with my host family, and felt like I had a chance to immerse myself in the Honduras culture.

More feedback at  http://www.abroaderview.org/volunteers_visions.html

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